Work with an International Organization

Quick Information & Links

F-1 International Organization (IO) work permission is a type of employment authorization for F-1 students who have been offered an internship with specific international organizations. Such organizations include the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the Organization of American States, United Nations, IFC, and others.

Please note that the World Bank, or the World Bank Group, is a qualifying IO. It does not appear on the list because it is instead described by its two constituent institutions, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). However, most WB job/internship offers do not come from these two entities. Rather, the offer typically comes from the World Bank (Group) or from a very specific office within the larger whole.

Filing Fee: Personal check, cashier's check or money order (sample filing fee [PDF]), or debit/credit card. Paying the fee with a card requires submission of Form G-1450. USCIS only accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. If the card does not have the full $410 available, your entire application will be sent back to you.

OGS recommends sending the application via FedEx or USPS Priority so that you can track your package.

*Your application must be received by USCIS within 30 days of the IS Advisor signature on the Form I-20.. If the application does not reach the service center in time, your request will be denied. If you think your application may not arrive within this timeframe, contact OGS for a new I-20 prior to mailing.

Once USCIS approves your employment authorization, you will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card. You cannot begin work until you have received your EAD card which explicitly states the dates you are authorized to work. If you do not have a Social Security Number (SSN), you will need to apply for one as soon as your EAD start date is valid.

You may not start employment until you have received the EAD and the start date indicated on the EAD has been reached. You must stop employment by the EAD expiration date or by the date you finish your studies, whichever is earlier.

You must remain a full-time student and make full-time progress toward degree completion while working.

Students may work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) during the academic term and full time on official breaks and vacations.

Time spent working for an International Organization does not count against your 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT).

If you wish to continue working for the International Organization beyond the validity date of your EAD, you must reapply 2-3 months in advance to OGS and USCIS again.